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The Bank of America Chicago Marathon
(formerly the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon)
is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago
in Cook County, Illinois, United States.
Alongside the Boston, New York, London and
Berlin Marathons, it is one of the five
World Marathon Majors. The October 10, 2010
running will be the 33rd Anniversary running
of the race. It has been run every year
since the September 25, 1977 running of the
first race under the original name the Mayor
Daley Marathon drew a field of 4200 runners.
It is among the fastest growing marathon
road races in the world, due in part to its
largely fast and flat course which
facilitates the pursuit of personal records
and world record performances. The race has
achieved its elite status among marathons by
developing relationship with sponsors who
provide prize money to lure elite runners
who have produced American and world record
performances.

There is no qualifying time to participate
in the Chicago Marathon, but only runners
who finish within 6½ hours are officially
timed. The race is limited to 45,000 runners
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Although the race has limited registration,
exceptions include elite runners and charity
representatives. Increasingly, local (e.g.,
Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital),
national (e.g., American Cancer Society) and
global (e.g., Global Business Assist,
British Red Cross, Asha for Education, World
Vision) charities and humanitarian
organizations encourage sponsored
participation in the event as a means of
fund raising. The marathon starts and ends
at Grant Park. From here, the current course
winds through 29 of the city's
neighborhoods.